Great Line

 Sometimes a song won't really be all that memorable... but golly one line is just so well written it will just stay with you for many years.

There is a Dixie Chicks song from a few decades ago... I could look it up to see which one it is (they had some catchy songs when I was in high school and college), but the line that I really like is just a quick line in one of the verses that is quickly sung without much fanfare...

"...watchin' the children and the garden grow..."

It is now well established how poor I am with plants, but I love that line.  Basically, all is right with the world - watchin' the children and the garden grow.

I'm reminded of that line when I see this picture that I took this past weekend while we were with my parents in Michigan.

Happy 3rd Birthday Lee Lee!

 Happy Happy 3rd Birthday to our youngest little girl, Lee Lee Marigold!

Addallee, you are your own little individual in our big family, but so influenced by all of your siblings.  You are talkative like Tracey, you are adventurous like Howard, you are meticulous in your play like Caroline, and you take tremendous joy in looking out for your "Little Buddy" Hunter.

You bring so much spunk, spirit, and excitement to our family and we could not imagine our family without you.

You love to tell stories, play Guess Who over FaceTime, and play any game with any sibling at almost any time.  You love to help in the kitchen, help with the laundry, help feed the animals, help take care of Hunter, and really just help in any way possible.  You really like Daniel Tiger and you sing his songs throughout your day to help remember the lessons he teaches.  I have been very impressed with how many of his songs you remember and how you apply them very appropriately to your own life.

Lately, you like to tell me a secret, and when I lean down for you to whisper in my ear, you say, "You're the best Mama in the whole world!"

I hope and pray you remain such a friendly, kind, adventurous girl, such a sweet daughter, and such a loving sister.  I am so excited to watch you grow and I love being your Mama!

First Time

Yesterday was the first time I saw Tracey write out her full name without any help.

 

Clever

We are still working our way through the scads of Halloween candy the kids received this year.

Last night, the children were choosing two pieces of candy each for dessert after dinner.  Howard was asking questions about different pieces before he made his choice, and I pointed out to him the Sixlets candy.  He had gotten in trouble the day before because he was supposed to be putting his blanket in his room, and instead he went into Daddy's drawer in his bedroom and ate some of Daddy's Sixlet candies.

I pointed out the Sixlets to Howard because I thought he might enjoy eating some when he wouldn't get in trouble for it.

Tracey didn't miss a beat saying,

 "Howard should call them Snicklets because he sneaked to get them." 

It was the first time she really surprised me with something so clever on the spot.  My baby girl is really growing up. 

 

Overnight

I really do feel like my children keep growing up overnight...

Standing Girl

Look who is a standing girl!

 

What a Difference

What a difference a few months make at Tracey's age... (and Howard and Caroline's age too)... ten months to be exact:

... And Happy St. Patrick's Day.